It's truly hard to believe it, but the day has finally arrived!
After marking our calendars years in advanced.
After planning and securing travel arrangements.
After early morning attempts to grab tickets via the mad dash lottery.
After cramming everything possible into a handful of suitcases.
After finally getting match tickets for the U.S. Men's National Team's group stage campaign.
After weeks of hard work to get things buttoned up at the office.
After cramming even more stuff into suitcases.
After selecting just the right gear to represent the U.S.A. and Brasil.
And, after trying to teach Maura all of the American Outlaws chants.
After all of that, we are finally heading to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals!
The "Stars and Stripes" and "Seleção Brasileira" shirts are ready for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals
We are off on a crazy, once in a life adventure to witness the world's game on its biggest stage. To share with my wife and her family the national passion and pride that comes with hosting the finals on their own soil for the first time in 64 years. To have the opportunity to watch what I've only witnessed on T.V., a World Cup match, in person. To (hopefully) support the Yanks through to the knockout stage and to celebrate with millions of Brasileiros as their (our) Seleção, their Canarinhos open the 30 days of football championship battles to win the prize of joining the small fraternity of eight nations that have won the coveted trophy in this nearly 85 years old tournament.
The long and the short of it: it's going to be f-ing amazing!
I hope to share the experience through pictures and blog posts, and I do hope you'll tag along. Maybe you'll even lose your voice screaming at the T.V. like I plan to at a match, after our own Seattle Sounders FC Clint "Captain American" Dempsey puts one between the pipes for a game winning goal. (NOTE: I'd be happy if any of the 23 USMNT have this opportunity...I'm not picky).
Wish us luck and boa viagem!